CeeDee Lamb, Dak ‘took advantage’ of bye week, recalibrated connection for Cowboys – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com

Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb took the bye week as an opportunity to get better.

With two weeks to recalibrate and to prepare for the coming battle against the San Francisco 49ers, the two attacked the issue in balance with also allowing their bodies (and minds) to rest and reset.

“We love a bye week,” said Lamb. “Let’s just say that we took advantage of it. Anything we felt like we missed out on together as a unit, as a duo, we hopped on it and got right to work, used every day, every opportunity that we could to get better. I feel like it’s going to show.”

For his part, Prescott agrees.

“I can just tell you now, it’s been better in these last couple of days,” he added.

Having drawn criticism as of late from Hall of Fame quarterback and Cowboys’ legend Troy Aikman, Lamb accepted the intent behind the statement and isn’t shying away from the accountability component of it all.

“We’ve got to be better overall — that’s all,” the All-Pro wideout said in response to Aikman’s assessment of Dallas’ current crop of receivers and their route running.

DeMarvion Overshown: Cowboys can’t use injuries as excuse to not improve – Josh Sanchez, Sports Illustrated

DeMarvion Overshown talked to the media about overcoming injuries and preparing for the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday.

“We just got to trust our training and trust the brothers that we play with out on the field,” Overshown told DallasCowboys.com. “We’ve got a lot of players down and so do they, but we can’t use that excuse [for not] playing good football. We’ve all been playing this game for a long time and we know our end goal, and that’s to go 1-0 every week.

“That’s the plan this week too.”

San Francisco has beaten Dallas in each of the past three seasons, so coming away with a big win after an embarrassing effort the last time they saw the field would be a major victory for the Cowboys.

The 49ers will be shorthanded on offense, but it’s up to the defense to stay disciplined and do their job to set the rest of the team up for success.

“We’ve got to get going,” said the former rookie third-round pick. “Those first six weeks — September football, early October football — you’re still trying to figure it out. We’ve seen some ups and we’ve seen some very lows. So we know this is a good opponent that we’re looking forward to, and in a crazy atmosphere.

Mike McCarthy remains confident in Cowboys, despite struggles – Ali Jawad, Sports Illustrated

Despite all of the chaos outside of the locker room, Mike McCarthy believes the team is focused on improving.

When asked about the team’s focus and intensity coming off the bye week, McCarthy acknowledged the challenges posed by the team’s inexperience but stressed the importance of continued progress and building chemistry.

“I think we’re a team that’s growing,” McCarthy said. “I think that’s really where we were coming out of training camp. You could see it in Oxnard. We did a lot of good things, but our inexperience whether it’s a young player or a new veteran that’s arrived at the time he’s arrived. You just got to keep working for those things together. The belief, the energy, and all that.”

Despite external perceptions, McCarthy assured that the locker room is filled with belief and energy.

“Trust me, what goes on outside the locker room is not an illustration of what’s going on in the locker room,” McCarthy stated.

“The practices, the way they go about it, the energy that they bring into the meetings, we’re getting better. I see it. I believe it. I do feel strongly, they believe it. It’s easy to come in here and talk about all the things that haven’t gone right. That’s not a clear picture of our football team.”

NFL trade deadline: Salary cap space, draft picks for 32 teams – NFL Nation Reporters, ESPN

The trade deadline is approaching. What does that mean for the Dallas Cowboys?

8. Dallas Cowboys: Cap space: $22.7 million

Looks can be deceiving when it comes to cap space. The Cowboys have plenty of it — until you remember they need more than $20 million for the impending dead money on the contracts of guard Zack Martin, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and wide receiver Brandin Cooks once their deals are voided in 2025 (and if they’re not re-signed).

Dallas will restructure the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb by March to create more space. But the front office has been clear in its approach: The Cowboys will not play at the high end of the free agency market. As a result, keeping their top draft picks is even more of a must with how they want to build their roster. — Todd Archer

Brandon Aubrey jury duty: Will Cowboys kicker play in Week 8? – Jacob Camenker, USA Today

Despite fulfilling his civic duty on a jury, Brandon Aubrey should not miss any game time.

Aubrey missed Cowboys practice on Wednesday, Oct. 23 for jury duty and was selected to serve on a 12-person jury for a felony assault case in Tarrant County, centered around a second-degree strangulation charge, per Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

It was Aubrey’s decision to partake in jury duty on Wednesday, though the Cowboys attempted to “pull him away” from it, the Star-Telegram reports.

Aubrey is expected to return to court on Thursday and Friday. Judge David Hagerman – who is reportedly presiding over the case, per ESPN’s Todd Archer – is also expected to work with Aubrey around his football schedule.

Still, there is no clear timetable on the case’s length, so Aubrey’s ability to participate in Cowboys practice moving forward is murky…

…While Aubrey’s ability to practice may come into question, it doesn’t appear he will be in danger of missing any games.

The case will not require jurors to be sequestered, according to the Star-Telegram. That will allow Aubrey to be available for nights and weekends, which should allow him to kick in Dallas’ “Sunday Night Football” against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 8.